Work transfer mechanism for forging presses and the like



im: 36's? Y I 55 3l INVENTOR /ss qF/ 2"- ALBERT R. kum. y j "2 3 BY X la9mm ATTORNEYS April 27, 1965 A. R. KULL 3,180,123 WORK TRANSFERMECHANISM FOR FORGING PRESSES AND THE LIKE Filed Oct. l2, 1962 6Sheets-Sheet 2 lNvENToR ALBERT R. KULL ATTORNEY! A. R. KULL April 27,1965 WORK TRANSFER MECHANISM FOR FORGING PRESSES AND THE LIKE 6Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. l2, 1962 INENTOR.

ALBERT R. KULL www@ ATTORNEYS A. R. KULL April 1965 WORK TRANSFERMECHANISM FOR FORGING PRESSES AND THE LIKE Fi'a oct. 12, 1962 6Sheets-Sheet 4 l INVENTOR ALBERT R. KULL April 27, 1965 A. R. KULL3,180,123

WORK TRANSFER MECHANISM FOR FORGING PRESSES AND THE LIKE Filed 061'..12, 1962 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR ALBERT R. KULL nlmw @mm ATTORNEYSApril 27, 1965 A. R. KULL. 3,180,123

.WORK TRANSFER MECHANISM FOR FORGING PRESSES AND THE LIKE Filed OCT..12, 1962 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 aos sum1' PUMP FoRwARD Ravens:

TOP STOP BRAKE OFF, OLU'IOH ON i TRANSFER FORVRD FINGERS OPEN TRANSFERRETURN FINGERS CLOSE TRANSFER FonwAR INVENTOR ALBERT R. KULI..

ALIQBBYS FIG. 9

United States Patent O .3,SiL23 WRK TRANSFER MECHANISM FOR FQRGINGPRESSES AND THE LIKE Albert R. Kuli, Beechwood, Ghia, assigner to yIheAax Manufacturing Company, Euclid, Ohio, a corporation of Ghia v FiledGet. 12, l1962, Ser. No. Zl 21- Claims. (Cl. l2-22) This inventionrelates generally, as indicated, to a work transfer mechanism forforging presses and the like and more particularly to a forging pressand transfer mechanism therefor which will enable high speed automaticproduction of forgings in a multi-operation forging press.

In forging presses, symmetrical forgings such as gear blanks, rotors,rock drills, etc., are produced from blanks of round or round corneredstock sheared to length and upended between the dies. For example,coining, extruding, piercing and sizing operations can be accomplishedon a single forging press, but the workpiece must be transfered from onestation to the next. Work gripping tongs are sometimes employed manuallyto transfer the work from one station to the next. The resultant finishcompares favorably with hammer forgings, and the dimensions are evencloser, not being subject to the iniluence of chilled ash, as whenrepeated finishing blows are struck. Flash can sometimes be entirelyavoided by entering the top die into the bottom impression at eachstation totally confining the stock. Mechanical ejectors may then beemployed in both the top and bottom die impressions to position the workto be gripped and transferred to the next station. The workpiece must,of course, be transfered and positioned very accurately for otheru wisean improperly formed workpiece will be obtained and additionally, damageto the dies may result. It is then apparent that the rate of productionobtained in such a multi-station forging operation is dependent upon howfast the workpieces can be gripped after the forging blow andtrnasferred to the next station and released properly in position priorto the next forging blow. This transfer of the workpieces can only beaccomplished when the dies are open and the workpiece has been ejectedfrom the bottom impression especially where the workpiece is totallyconiined in the bottom impression by the top die entering thereinto.

It is accordingly a principal object of the present invention to providea forging press and transfer mechanism therefor which will obtainaccurate high speed production forgings in a multi-station forgingoperation.

A further principal object of the present invention is the provision ofa transfer mechanism for forging presses which will firmly grip andtransfer the workpieces from one forging station to the next in timedrelation to the operation of the press.

Still another principal object is the provision of a work transfermechanism for forging presses which can readily be installed on orremoved from conventional forging presses.

A further object is the provision of a work transfer mechanism forforging presses which will firmly yet resiliently grip the workpiecestransferring them from one forging station to the next in timed relationto the operation of such press.

A yet further object is the provision of such transfer mechanism andforging press incorporating many safety features precluding damage tothe dies.

A still further object is the provision of a work transfer mechanism forforging presses in a multi-station forging operation which will permitthe press to run continuously.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention claims, thefollowing description and the annexed draw- "ice will become apparent asthe following description proceeds.

To the accomplishment Vof the foregoing and related ends, the invention,then, comprises the features hereinafter fully described andparticularly pointed out in the ings setting forth in detail a certainillustrative embodiment of the invention, this being indicative,however, ofv

but one of the various Ways in which the principle of the invention maybe employed.

In said annexed drawings:

FIG. 1 is a frontV elevation of a forging pressand transfer mechanismtherefor in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical section taken longitudinallyVthrough'the diesof the forging press;

FIG. 3 is a similar vertical section taken substantially on the line3-3of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4a is an enlarged top plan view partially broken away of theforging press transfer mechanism;

FIG. 4b is a broken continuation of such transfer mechanism with thedies of the forging press not being shown for clarity of illustration;

FIG. 5a is a side elevation partially broken away of such transfermechanism as seen from the bottom of Y FIG. 4a;

FIG. 5b is a broken continuation of FIG. 5a as seen from the bottom ofFIG. 4b, again with the dies of the forging press omitted for clarity ofillustration;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary vertical section taken Substantially on the line6--6 of FIG. 5a with the air cylinders broken away for clarity ofillustration;

FIG. 7 is a vertical section taken substantially on the line 7--7 ofFIG. 5a;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary end elevation of such transfer mechanism withthe air cylinder broken away and partially in section as seen from theright in FIGS. 4b and 5b; and

FIG. 9 is a schematic wiring diagram illustrating more clearly theoperation of .such transfer mechanism and forging press. Y

Referring now to the annexed drawings and more particularly to FIG. l,there is illustrated a forging press and transfervmechanism inaccordance with the present invention. Such forging press comprises anintegral solid steel bed frame l having four oversized columns 2, 3, 4and 5. (See also FIGS. 2 through 8.) The bed frame 1 includes a base 5in which the bottom dies are mounted and bearings are provided in suchframe for a flywheel or back shaft, the axis of which is. shown at 6,and a main or crank shaft 7. A motor 10 mounted on the top of the bedframe l drives a multi groove V-belt pulley;

l1 which in turn rotates a ywheel 12 with V-belts 13 or the like beingtrained about both. The ywheel drives the back shaft which extendsacross the back of the machine driving Va pinion engaged with the gear14 mounted on the main or eccentric shaft 7. An air operated clutch andbrake assembly may be employed in connection with the flywheel as shownat 15 to engage and disengage the drive from the motor to the crankshaft.

The crank shaft is provided with a centrally disposed eccentric on whichis mounted a pitman connected by a wrist pin to the ram 17. Dies showngenerally at 1S are mounted on such ram for vertical movement in thismanner toward and away from the dies in the base 5. Cams 2d and 21 maybe provided on the main shaft 7 with followers Z2 and 23 mounted onrocker arms actuating links Z4 and 25 to operate kickers in the bottomdies to eject the workpieces from the die impressions. The shaft '7 isalso employed through a chain drive 27 to operate a rotary cam limitswitch Z9 mounted on the column 2. A motor El) may also be provideddriving a lubrication pump 3l maintaining the various working` partswell lubricated. A control panel 32 also mounted on the column 2 may beprovided to regulate the operation of the machine.l The bed frame 1 ofthe machine may be mounted in a special support base 33 mounted on theplant floor 34. Also mounted on the floor 34 spaced from the bed frame.l is a stand 3S supporting the distal ends of tubular rails 3o and 37supporting for convenient insertion and removal from the press frame,the transfer mechanism 4t) of the present invention. With the exceptionof the transfer mechanism 4th and the appartenant interlocking controls,the forging press illustrated is generally conventional and may, forexample, be any of the forging presses manufactured by The AjaxManufacuring Company of Cleveiand,.0hio, ranging in sizes from 500 to10,000 `tons capacity. f

Referring now additionally to FIGS. 2 and 3, the top dies 18 may bemounted on a bolster 41 secured to the face of the ram 17. Anintermediate plate 42 may be provided between the base of the ram 17 andthe bolster securing the bolster from movement in the plane of FIG. 3.It will, of course, be noted that the top dies and, of course, the ramare shown in their lowermost position in FIGS. 2 and 3 and at theopposite end yof the stroke, the upper and lower dies will besubstantially separated as shown in FIG. 1.

Reading from left to right in FG. 2, the upper or male dies include acoining die 44, an extruding die 4S, a

piercing die 46 and a sizing die 47. The rigid coining die 44 is mountedin a shouldered sleeve 49 which is externally threaded to receive atapped cap 50, both of which serve rmly to hold the die .44 to thebolster 4l. The extruding, piercing and sizing dies 45 through 47include centrally disposed rigidly mounted piercing portions surroundedby stripping portions each-confined within a cap similarto the cap 59.Such stripping portions of the dies 45 through 47 are loaded by springs52 and urged downwardly thereby. The stripping portions of such diescooperate with the projecting piercing portions to form the upper diesurface.

The bottom or female dies vertically aligned with the male dies aremounted in side-by-side blocks 54, each substantially identical in form,mounted on a bottom bolster 55. Within each such block S4, there isprovided the annular die member 56 which contines the workpiece or slugas it is driven against the bottom die members 58, 59, ed and 61 forVthe respective coining, extruding, piercing and sizing operations. Theextruding die 59 and the sizing die 61 include upwardly rigidlyprojecting piercing members surrounded by relatively movable strippingmembers cooperating to form the bottom die surfaces. The bottom coiningdie member 53 completely encloses the bottom of the impression of thefemale coining die and the bottom piercing die 6@ is provided with avertically extending aperture 62 which communicates with an inclinedpassageway 63 as seen in FIG. 3 for removal of the slug formed by thecenter projection of the iercing die 46. A tube 64 projects into thefemale piercing die member 6i?V and serves as a central guide for thevertical movement thereof. All of the female or bottom die members arevertically movable in response to vertical movement of the ejector pins65, there being three such ejector pins for each bottom die, whichextend downwardly through the die blocks 66, plate 67 and the ybottom ofthe bolster 55. The blocks de for the extruding and sizing dies areformed of two members to retain the central rigidly mounted piercingportion of the` die in place. Such ejector pins are actuated by movementof the plate 63 which is mounted in rece-ss R in the bottom portion ofthe bolster block 55. The plate 68 is raised and lowered in timedrelation to the movement of the crank shaft 7 by means of the cam movedlinks 24 and 2S through ejector rods 69 projecting upwardly through thebase 5' of the bed frame l..V Each of the die members 5S through 6l ismounted for movement in the top bolster block 55 and is provided with aflaring enlarged bottom portion as shown at 7 The flaring top surface ofthese enlargements acts as a cam to move horizontally microswitchactuating plungers '7l and 72. for the extruding and piercing, andcoining and sizing dies, respectively. The plungers 7i are disposed atthe back of the machine and extend through a compression spring 73 toactuate microswitches 74 and 75 mounted on brackets 76. The relativelyshorter microswitch piungers 72'. are mounted at the sides of themachine to actuate microswitches 78 and 79 mounted on brackets St) forthe coining and sizing operations, respectively. Thus there is provideda microswitch for each of the dies which will properly signal theelevation of the die members 5S through 6l `elevating the stock to begripped by the transfer mechanism of the present invention. lf such diesfail to elevate, it usually means that one of the Vejector pins 65 isbroken. Not only do these ejector pins elevate the bottom dies to aposition to be gripped by the transfer mechanism, but they also stripthe workpieces which are totally confined in the bottom impression.Accordingly, powerful mechanical ejectors are provided in both the topand bottom dies stripping the workpieces therefrom.

Vertical adjustment of the lower dies can be obtained by a wedge in thelower die seat. Such adjustment means does not interfere at all with theaccessibility at the back of the die seat and when backed off, permitsthe wedge to be rammed back from the front to relieve a stall.Accordingly, once the lower dies are brought into perfect match with thetop punches or dies, the alignment remains undisturbed by adjustment ofthe bottom wedge. The bottom bolster is provided in the presentinvention with four projecting guide pins 52 at each corner thereofwhich project upwardly into depending sleeves 83 at the four corners ofthe top bolster with close tolerance maintaining proper alignment.

lt is with the die tooling such as that shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 that thetransfer mechanism of the present invention is to be employed. The bedframe l of the machine forms two windows 35' and So at each side of thedies through which the transfer mechanism 4i? can readily be insertedinto the machine. Also, with the die blocks .fi/.i being recessed withinthe upper bolster member 55,- there is formed two substantiallyhorizontal guideways 87 and $55 readily to accommodate such transfermechanism'. Recessed head cap screws or-the like will be employed to'fasten the blocks 54 to the bolster 55 and similarly the bolster itselfwill be secured with cap screws recessed therein. This then leaves thetwo guideways substantially clear for insertion of the transfermechanism.

Referring now additionally to FIGS. 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, and FGS. 6 through9, the transfer removal rails 36 and 37 which facilitate the placementof the transfer mechanism within the machine are mounted on the insidesof the frame columns 2 and'4. This mounting may be accomplished bybrackets 99 and 9i which may be fastened to the insides of the columnsby cap screws or the like 93.

'levises 94 and 95 may be welded to such brackets supporting pins 96 and97 extending through extensions 98 and 99 of the tubular transferremoval rails 3o and 37, respectively.

The distal ends of such rails are similarly formed with projections iti@and E91, respectively which are pin-connected to clevises H32 and lil-3mounted on the tops of the stand uprights i and 105. As seen in FG. 5a,each of the uprights includes an upwardly projecting tubular member liloreceiving a downwardly projecting rod E67 telescoping thereinto. A setscrew, locking pin or the like 108 may be provided to obtain the propervertical adjustment of the rods i107. Such rods are interconnccted by atubular frame member E69 to assure vertical movement in unison. Suchupwardly projecting tubular members iti-5 are mounted on a support platel provided with corner leveling screws indicated at 111. Web reinforcingplates 112 may be provided welded between the upwardly projectingtubular members 106 and the plate 110 to rigidify the stand. It isnotedV that the members 100 and 101 on the ends of the transfer removalrails 36 and 37 are provided with abutments shown at 113 in FIG. 5alimiting the movement of the transfer mechanism along such rails.

As seen in FIG. 1, such rails will normally extend to the side of thepress a suicient distance to enable the entire transfer mechanism to bemovedrout of the Window S in the frame 1. As seen in FIGS. 6 and 7,particularly, the transfer mechanism is supported on four rollers formovement along the transfer removal rails 37. Rollers 120 and 121 aremounted on upstanding roller supports 122 and 123 in turn fastened tothe tops of brackets 90 and 91, respectively by suitable fasteners shownat 124 in FIG. 5a. These upwardly projecting rollers engage theunderside of the transfer table 12S which comprises the main supportingmember for the transfer mechanism 40. Slight scallops 129 and 130 may beprovided in such underside of the table to facilitate the properplacement of such transfer mechanism in the forging press.

Referring now to FIG. 6, the transfer table 128 and thus the transfermechanism is also supported by grooved rollers 132 and 133 mounted ondepending brackets 134 and 135 respectively secured to the underside ofthe plate extension 136 of the table 128. Such brackets maybe secured tosuch plate extension by suitable fasteners indicated at 137 and theextension itself may also be secured rigidly to the table by recessedcap screws or the like 138. As seen in FIGS. 4a, 4b, and 8, the transfertable 128 is bifurcated providing a central opening 140 dividing thetable 128 into two longitudinally extending legs 141 and 142. These legsstraddle the die blocks 54 and when the transfer mechanism is insertedinto the,

machine, these legs will fit in the slideways 87 and 88 on either sideof such blocks. The distal ends of the legs may be fastened by capscrews or the like 143 and 144 extending through gibs 145 and 146 intobrackets 147 and 143 secured by fasteners 149 to the insides of thecolumns 3 and 5 of the frame 1. Thus with the removal of the screws 143and 144, the Ventire transfer mechanism 40 may be pulled out of thepress frame with the table and its plate extension 136 being supportedon the rollers 120, 121, and 132, 133, respectively. The transfermechanism can as easily be inserted into the machine simply sliding italong on the rollers until the rollers 120 and 121 drop into thescalloped portions on the bottom surface of the table 123 and the screws143 and 144 may then be secured in place.

Slidably Vmounted on the table 128 is a transfer slide 159 held to suchtable for such sliding movement by gibs 151, 152, 153, 154 and theaforementioned gibs 145 and 146. Such gibs are held to the edges of thetable 128 by means of suitable fasteners such as the illustrated capscrews 155. Such transfer slide is provided with an i enlarged centralopening 15S, partially seen in FIG. 4b, forming two elongated legs 159and 160 which substantially correspond to and overlie the legs 142 and141 of the table. Thus the transverse dimension of the opening 15S isonly slightly larger than the transverse opening 14%) in the table 128.The legs 159 and 160 are connected at the right as seen inV FIGS. 4b and5b and also FIG. 8 by an arched bridge portion 162 forming an invertedchannel 163 which will clear the die blocks 54 when the transfermechanism is pulled from the press.

At the opposite end of the transfer slide as seen in FIG. 4a, the legs159 and 160 are connected by a bridge portion 164. The opening 158 ofthe transfer slide at this end extends considerably beyond the opening140 in the table 128 and terminates in a wall 165 (see again FIG. 4a)provided with a centrally disposed semi-circular stock receiving recess156. In addition to the opening 158, there are provided two elongatedparallel openings 168 and 169 in the bridge portion 164i of the transferslide 150. Projecting upwardly through the openings are transfer slidestop blocks 170 and 171, respectively, secured to the top of the table128. Adjustable stop screws 172 are secured in each end of each of theopenings 168 and 159 accurately to control the extent of movement of theslide 150 on the table 126.

Movement of the transfer slide with respect to the transfer table isobtained by means of a pneumatic piston-cylinder assembly 174, the ends175 and 176 of which are mounted on the shelf extension 136 of the table12S by means of the screw fasteners 177. The rod 178 of thepiston-cylinder assembly 174 is adjustably connected to the bridge 164of the transfer slide 150 by means ofthe T-slot nut shown at 179.Extension of the rod 178 Will then move the slide 150 to the right asseen, for example, in FIG. 4a until the stop screws 172 at the left ofthe slots 16S and 169 contact the` stop blocks 170 and 171. Similarly,retraction of the rod 173 will move the transfer slide to the positionshown in such figure. Y

rThe pneumatic cylinder 174 may, for example, have a 61/2 inch strokewith a 3%, inch diameter, cushioned at both ends. However, the stopscrews `172 may be set to limit the movement of the transfer slideprecisely to but 6 inches.

As seen in FIG. 4a, projecting from the transfer slide parallel to thecylinder 174 are two limit switch trip rods 131 and 182 secured at oneend to the transferslide and slidably passing through respective guidesy183 and V184i mounted on the shelf 136. Adjustable dogs 185 and 136are-secured to the rod 131 adapted to engage roller operator 187 oflimit switch 18S mounted on the shelf 136. The spacing of the dogs and186 will be such that the limit switch 138 will indicate the endpositions of the transfer slide 150. Dogs 139 and 190 on the rod 182both engage roller operator 191 of limit switch 192 also mounted on suchshelf 136 and,

the spacing of these dogs may be somewhat greater than the spacing ofthe dogs 185 and 186. This limit switch 192 then can be employed as asafety limit switch to stop the press in the event of overtravel due tofailure of the stop blocks 170 and 171. Ordinarily, such stop blockswill be flame hardened to preclude wear or other failure.

It can now be seen that the transfer slide is mounted for horizontalreciprocation'on the transfer table through a precisely determinedstroke which will be exactly equal to the distance between the fourforging stations shown in FIG. 2. Mounted for transverse slidingmovement on the leg 160 of the transfer slide are siX solid stockengaging fingers 193, 194, 195, 196, 197 and 19S. In FIGS. 4a and 4b,the lingers 193 and 194 are shown broken away. Each of the solid fingers193 through 198 is substantially identical in form and such `lingers aremounted in recessed Vtransverse channels in the leg 160 of the transferslide 150. Each of such fingers is conned in its respective transversechannel by means of overlying gibs 200 and 201 secured to the top of theleg 160 by the fasteners shown at 203. As seen more clearly in FIG. 5b,each of the solid fingers 193 through 198 is provided with a bottomliner 204 and side liners 205 and 206. Each of the solid ingers is alsoprovided with a V-notch 207 on the inwardly projecting end thereofadapted to engage the stock S and maintain the same aligned with thecenter line of the finger. By each finger, the stock will be engaged attwo substantially circumferentially spaced areas of vertical linecontact firmly engaging such stock.

Each of the gripping fingers 193 through 198 is provided with a slightlyelongated slot 210 extending longitudinally of the slide to receive aroller 211 projecting downwardly on shaft 212 at the distal end of oneleg 213 of a bell crank 214, there, of course, being one such bell crankfor each of the fingers 193 through 198. Such bell cranks are mountedfor oscillatory movement on the top of the leg 160 just to the right ofthe respective Y driven gripping fingers. As seen in FIG. 7, theopposite leg of each such bell crank is bifurcated providing an upperportion 215 and a lower portion 216 straddling and pin-connected to alongitudinally extending operating link 2l7. rocationof the link 217will oscillate the bell cranks 214 in unison about their aligned pivotaxes on they top of the leg loll of the transfer slide 154i moving thesolid lingers 193 through 193 in unison transversely of the transferkslide.

On the rear leg l59 of the transfer slide 55, there is Vsimilarlyprovided six linger Vslide blocks 22d, 221, 222, 223, 224 and 225`mounted in recessed channels extending transversely of such leg andaligned with'the solid fingers 193 throughr W5, respectively. SuchVlinger blocks may each be confined in such channels by gibs 226 and 227and bottom and side liners will also be provided. In FIGS. 4a and 4b,the finger blocks 229 It can now be seen that longitudinal recipand 221'are shown broken away 'out it will be understood that these lingers aresubstantially identical in form to the linger blocks 222 through 225.Each of the rear lingers or the ngers on the rear leg 159 of thetransfer slide is provided with a finger insert 235i which is held tothe respective linger block'by two elongated fasteners 233` and 232passing freely therethrough. A relatively small clearance shown at 233is provided between the insert 239 and the respective linger block and acompression spring 234 is interposed therebetween. Such compressionsprings then resiliently urge the linger inserts 230 toward the opposedsolid lingers 193 through 198, with such resilient movement beinglimited by the elongated fasteners 231 and 232. Such inserts 230 areprovided with the V-notches 235 which correspond to the notches 267 inthe solid lingers so that the stockV or workpiece S will be grippedfirmly between such inserts and the solid fingers at fourcircumferentially spaced line contact points.

Movements of the linger blocks 22@ through 225 and thus the lingerinserts 23@ resiliently mounted on the distal ends thereof is obtainedby means of six bell cranks 240 which are allochirally identical in formto the bell cranks 214. Each of the ringer blocks 22@ through 225 isprovided with a slightly elongated slot 241 extending longitudinally ofthe slide in which is mounted a roller 242 projecting downwardly fromthe leg 243 of the bell crank 240. The opposite leg is bifurcated toprovide upper and lower legs 2454 and 245 straddling an operating link246 which extends parallel to the operating link 2l7. Such bell cranks249 are mounted on the top of the rear leg 159 adjacent the respectivelinger blocks and it can now be seen that longitudinal reciprocation ofthe link 246 will oscillate such rear bell cranks 240 in unison abouttheir aligned respective axes to reciprocate transversely the lingerblocks 225 through 225 and, ofcourse, the respective finger inserts 230toward and away from the stock S. Oilite sleeve bearings may be providedat all of the pivots of such linger operating mechanism.

Longitudinal reciprocation of the front and rear links 217 and 246 isobtained by a pneumatic piston-cylinder assembly 250 mounted on thebridge portion 162 of the transfer slide. The ends 251 and 252 of suchpiston-cylinder assembly may be fastened directly to such portion of thetransfer slide by the fasteners shown at 253.k The projecting rod 254 ofsuch assembly is adjustably connected at 255 to a yoke 256 by means of aT-slot nut. Such yoke'256 extends transversely of the transfer slide andis mounted on a stop block 257 provided with adjustable stop screws S onone side and 259 and 269 on the opposite side limiting precisely thestroke of such Vpiston-cylinder assembly and thus the movement of theyoke. The outer ends of the yoke are pivotally connected to links 262and 263, the opposite ends of which are clevised as shown at 264 in FIG.5b and connected to the respective operating links 2l? and 2036. Thepiston-cylinder assembly 25) may, for example, have a two inch bore anda one inch stroke with the stop screws 258, 259 and 269 limiting themovement of the yoke to approximately of an inch. This movement will,however, be suflicient to obtain approximately one inch of movement ofthe front and rear gripping lingers so that the lingers when opened willreadily clear the workpieces and the dies in their closed position seenin FIG. 3 as the transfer slide is indexed by the piston-cylinderassembly 174. The yoke 255 may be provided with a limit switch trip rod265 having dogs 266 and 267 thereon enclosing the roller operator 26S oflimit switch 269 which will indicate the end positions of the grippinglingers. v

As seen more clearly in FIGS. 4a and 4b, the opening iSd in the transferslide l5@ extends considerably Vbeyond the opening le@ in the transfertable. ln this portion of the table exposed by the opening i555, thereis provided a centrally positioned llame hardened stock support rail 272which extends fromV beneath the semi-circular recess 166 in the transferslide in its retracted position to the edge of the opening 14d in thetransfer table. rl`his rail is then lixed in the window S5 of the bedframe 1 when the transfer mechanism di? is in position. Mounted on eachside of the rail 172 on the table 12S are four idle position grip blocksupports 273, 274, 275 and 276. These supports are mounted directlybeneath the linger blocks 22d, 223i and the solid lingers 193 and 194,respectively. in each such block support, there is provided an idleposition grip block as shown at 277, 27S, 279 and 28) provided withstems 281i fitting Vin bores in the respective blocks. Compressionsprings 282 are situated between the ends ofthe bores and such stemsresiliently urging such grip blocks outwardly toward the rail 272. Thesegrip blocks will then properly maintain the stock S in the idlepositions shown at 283 and 23d within the window 85 of the frame ll. Ifdesired, a nger 285 may additionally be provided engaging the tops ofthe stock S in such idle positions (see FIG. 5a) mounted on a loadingtube 186 which is vertically aligned with the semi-circular recess 166in the bridge portion 164 of the transfer slide 15) when retracted. Aspring 267 may be employed resiliently to hold such linger against thetops of such workpieces to maintain them properly aligned and inposition when not gripped by the respective gripping lingers.

It can now be seen that stock, which may comprise small cylindricalpieces of metal, may be stacked in the loading tube 286 with the bottomone dropping into the load station shown at 293 in the semi-circularrecess 166 in the transfer slide on top of the rail 272 inthe transfertable. With the gripping lingers retracted by the retraction of thepiston-cylinder assembly 25d, the workpiece can then be moved forward byextension of the cylinder 174 to place such workpiece at the lirst idleposition 283. As the slide l5@ moves forwardly, it will force theworkpiece between the grip blocks 277 and 279 compressing the springs282 and such blocks in cooperation with the linger 285 will hold suchworkpiece at the lirst idle position. The cylinder 174 is then retractedto permit the next workpiece to drop into the load station 290 from theloading tube 286. The fingers are now moved toward each other by reasonof the extension of the cylinder 250 and the workpiece at the lirst idlestation 233 will be gripped firmly therebetween. When such has occurred,the cylinder 17d will again be extended now moving the workpiece to thesecond idle station while simultaneously moving the next workpiece tothe lirst idle station. Again, the workpiece will be gripped between thegrip blocks 27S and 25@ to be maintained at the second idle positionwhen the fingers release the stock by retraction of cylinder 250. Withsuch ngers retracted and the workpieces in the idle stations 283 and284, the slide is again retracted by the cylinder 74 to receive the nextworkpiece at the load station. The lingers then again grip the lirstmentioned workpiece to move it forwardly as the Slide is extended to thefirst coining operation between the coining dies. As the ram descends,the coining punch 44 will come down driving the stock properlypositioned by the fingers into the female impression performing thecoining operation. The fingers are opened and the slide retracted sothat after such operation, the kicking fingers 65 will elevate the die53 elevating the workpiece to position the workpiece to be again grippedby the fingers to be moved to the next station. This process will, ofcourse, be repeated and the finished workpiece may then be dischargedthrough the window 36 into a waiting bin.

Control circuit The main motor lil may, for example, be a 50 HP.squirrel cage motor operating from 220/ 440, 3 phase, 60 cycle currentsupplied through main lines 34M), 361 and 362 connected to each otherthrough forward and reverse switching circuits 303 and to the windingsof starting transformer 394. Alternate start switches from topto bottommay be energized by the reverse and forward relays 335 and 31l6controlled by two position selector switch 397. A disconnect switch 30Swill, of course, irst be closed to provide the requisite current. Branchlines 369, 319 and 311 lead to start switches 312 for the pump motor 33.Lines 313 and 314 connected to lines 3139 and 210, respectively, lead tothe windings of a control transformer 315 for the control circuit of thepresent invention. mien the disconnect switch 33S is closed, a power onsignal lamp 316 will normally be energized. A pump starter 317 will beenergized at intervals by a timer 318 opening and closing switch 319. Inaddition to the switches 312, such starter also closes switch 320 toenergize signal lamp 321 to show the operator that the pump motor isrunning.

rthe main motor may be started and stopped through push button switches322 and 323 and a plurality of serially connected overload switchesnormally closed to energize starter 324 closing start switches 325, 326and 327 in the starting transformer 304. The direction of the motor willhave been chosen by the switch 307 and either of the forward or reverserelays will now close one of the switches 330 to energize timer 331,which, when it times out, will open the switch 332 and close switch 333,the latter energizing run relay 334 to close switches 335, 335 and 337to set the starting transformer 394 for a run condition. A signal lamp339 controlled by microswitches 340 will be employed to warnr theoperator of failure in the lubricating system so that the machine may bebrought to a stop.

Now to start the automatic feeding of the workpieces to the press, theoperator will normally close pushbutton switch 341 energizing relay 342to close switches 344, 345 and the holding circuit 346 around the pushbutton 341. A signal light 347 will be provided indicating thatautomation power is now on. When air is supplied to the transfer andfinger cylinders 174 and 256 respectively, a pressure switch 343 will beclosed preparing a circuit for the effective energization of the cyclestart switch 349. The automatic cycle of the machine can now beinstituted by depressing the cycle start button 349 energizing relay35i) which closes contacts 351, 352 and 353. The contacts 351 complete ahold circuit around the push button switch 349 and the contacts 352 and353 energize solenoids 354 and 355 releasing the brake and operating theclutch respectively, to start rotation of the press eccentric shaft 7and, of course, vertical movement of the ram. As will be recalled fromFIG. l, rotation of the eccentric shaft 7 drives through chain 27 rotarycam limit switch 29. Such rotary limit switch actuates limit switchcontacts 357, 358, 359, 360, 361 and 352. Each of these switch contactswill then be closed for a portion of the rotation of the eccentricshaft. Limit switches 74, 75, 73 and 79, which are in series with eachother and which are in parallel with the limit switch contact 357, willnormally be closed from 225 to 285 of eccentric shaft rotation.

une ses.

These switches are closed by the ejectorpins and if a pin breaks, thecorresponding limit switch does not close and the relay 35i) will thenbe deenergized stopping the press and transfer immediately.

if the transferv is not moved forward at 315 of eccentric shaftrotation, the contacts 364 of limit switch 188 will remain open andtransfer forward relay 365 will not be energized. Normally open relayswitch 366 will then not close and again the relay 3511 will bedeenergized stopping the press and transfer. With transfer forward relay37d energized by the closing of the contacts 371 of the limit switch 259indicating the ngers having been shut, solenoid 372-is actuated by theclosing of contacts 373 and 374 to move the transfer forward closing thecontacts M4. With the eccentric at 137 of rotation, the limit switch 353closes energizing fingers open relay 375 which closes contacts 376 and377 energizing solenoid 37 8, opening the transfer fingers.

With the fingers at open position, the contacts 379 are closed and withthe eccentric shaft at of rotation, limit switch 36d closes energizingthe transfer return Vrelay 380. This relay closes contacts 381 and 382to energize solenoid 333 to retract the cylinder 174 returning thetransfer to its retracted position shown in FIGS. 4a and 4b.

The transfer in returned position closes contacts 334 of limit switch183 and with the eccentric shaft at 230 of rotation and with the ejectorpins up, switch 351 closes energizing fingers close relay 335. Solenoid386 is then actuated by the closing of contacts 387 and 38S extendingthe cylinder 251i to close the transfer fingers. When the fingers havereached their closed position, the limit switch contacts 371 will beclosed and with the shaft at 255 of rotation ensuring removal of the topdies from the frame path, switch 362 closes energizing transfer forwardrelay 37d again to energize the solenoid 372 to movethe transfer forwardrepeating the above cycle.

A relay 39) when energized will close normally open contacts 391, 332,393 and 394 bypassing the rotary limit switch contacts 359, 361i, 361and 362 respectively so that lthe transfer mechanism can be cycledsequentially by `switches 364, 379, 384 and 371. `The normally opencontact 395 closed by the relay 391) prevents energization of such relaywhen the selector switch 396 is in auto position. The selector switch395 has an auto position for either automatic cycle or manual cycle ofthe press and transfer and a manual inch position for either press inchor transfer inch. In such latter position, push button switch 397 may beemployed for inching of the transfer mechanism by energizing the relay390 and such inching continues until the push button 397 is released.Press inching is prevented by the opening ofthe circuit through Pushbutton 399 obtains inching of the press mechanism by energizing therelay 351B and inching continues until such push button 399 is released.Transfer inching is then prevented by opening the circuit through theline 490.

Push button 431 manually opens the fingers by energizing relay 375 whichactuates solenoid valve 378, Push button 452 manually Vreturns thetransfer by energizing relay 331i which actuates solenoid 333. Pushbutton 403 closes the fingers by energizing relay 335 actuating solenoidvalve 336. Finally, push button 434 moves the transfer forward byenergizing relay 37d actuating solenoid 372. At any time, the press maybe stopped and, of course, the transfer also at 315 of rotation of theeccentric shaft by depressing the top stop button 4195 energizing topstop relay 435. Such relay controls holding switch 467 and switch 408controlling the relay 350 operating the clutch and brake of the machine.It can now be seen that a complete manual overriding control for theautomatic cycle of the machine is provided should such Vbe desired or atany time become necessary.

The cycle of operation of the machine is, of course, timed with therotational movement of the eccentric shaft e,teo,123

l. l by means of the shaft position responsive limit switches 357through 362.V By means of contacts-357, closed from l to 240 ofeccentric shaft rotation, the eccentric shaft will be beyond dead centerof 360 and the cycle start push button 349 can then energize relay 35?.The contacts 35:3 close a timing gap in the eccentric shaft rotationbetween limit switches 74, 75, 7d and 79, which will signal an ejectorpin malfunction, and the transfer forward relay 3dS which closescontacts 366 in parallel with such switch Limit switch contacts 359through 362 sequence the transfer on automatic cycle. Finally, limitswitch contacts in series with the brake and clutch relay 359 open tostop the prees and'transfer in the case of transfer overtarvel.Reference may be had to FIG. 4o for the position of this limit switch.

Operation Briefly recapitulating the automatic cycle of operation forthe present invention, it will be seen that with the following startingconditions obtained, the press will function completely automatically:

(1) disconnect switch 3u@ is turned on;

(2) push button switch 322 is actuated starting the press motor;

(3) the air supply to the transfer and linger cylinders is on closingthe'pressure switch 348 and air supply is also turned on to the clutchand brake solenoid valves and (4) air supply is turned on to controlsolenoid valves 372, 378, 383 and 386;

(5) selector switch 41? is moved to the run position, the other positionbeing a jog position;

(6) selector switch 307 is turned to the forward position; and

(7) selector switch 3% is turned to the auto position.

The automatic cycle may then `be commenced by actul ating push buttonS49 which energizes relay-35i) through limit switch 357. The relaycompletes a hold circuit around such push button 349 and also energizessolenoids 354 and 355 releasing the brake and operating the clutch tostart rotation of the press eccentric shaft and ram. Rotation of suchshaft actuates the limit switch contacts 357 through 352. With theworkpieces positioned in the loading tube 286 and one within thesemi-circular recess 156 of the transfer, relay 37d will be energized bylimit switch 371 and solenoid valve 372 is actuated extending cylinder174 moving the transfer forward which in turn closes limit switch 36dand with the eccentric shaft at 137 lof rotation, limit'switch 359 willbe closed energizinU relay 375 actuating solenoid 37 il to open thefingers by retracting the cylinder With the lingers now at openposition, limit switch 379 will be closed and with the eccentric shaftat 160 of rotation, limit switch 360 closes energizing relay 389retracting cylinder 74 by energization of solenoid valve 353. Thetransfer in its return position closes limit switch and with the shaftat 230 of rotation, limit switch 361 closes energizing relay 385actuating solenoid 385, now extending cylinder 25) closing the transferfingers. The iingers in the closed position actuate limit switchcontacts 371 and with the eccentric shaft at 255 of rotation, contacts352 are closed again energizing the transfer forward relay 376. rIhuswith one complete cycle of the transfer mechanism, the workpiece willhave been moved from the load position 2% to the first idle position 283seen in FG. 4a. Upon the next cycle, it will move to the second idleposition 2,84 and then into the first or coining operation of CIJ i12 7@are closed by the four ejector pins and if the pin breaks, thecorresponding limit switch will not close and therefore the relay 35%will be deenergized stopping the press and transfer immediately.Moreover, .if the transfer is not in its forward or richt hand positionas seen in FIGS. 4

Yand 5, at 315 ofeccentric shaft rotation, the limit switch 354 does notenergize the relay 375. Also, normally open switch 356 energized byrelay 355 does not close and the relay 355.1 is then deenergized,stopping the press and transfer. i

it can now be seen that the work will be fed continuously from theloading chute 286 and indexed forward a distance equal to the distancebetween the working stations each time the eccentric shaft 7 revolves.The work will then be fed rst to the two idle stations and thensuccessively to the four working stations and nally discharged from themachine. Accordingly, with the transfer mechanism and forging press ofthe present invention, automatic high speed production of items such asalternator rotors can be obtained even with the workpiece beingcompletely enclosed within the bottom or female dies.

Other modes of applying the principle of the invention may be employed,change being made as regards the details described, provided thefeatures stated in any of he following claims or the equivalent of suchbe employed.

l, therefore, particularly point out and distinctly claim as myinvention:

1. in a forging press of the type having an upstanding frame, aneccentric shaft mounted in said frame for rotation about a horizontalaxis, a ram vertically movable in response to rotation of said shaft, aset of top dies carried by said ram for vertical reciprocationtherewith, a set of bottom dies mounted on said frame vertically alignedwith the respective dies carried by said ram and cooperating to forgeworkpieces therebetween; a transfer mechanism for transferringworkpieces to successive cooperating dies comprising a table mounted onsaid frame adjacent said bottom dies, a horizontally reciprocable slidemounted on said table, a plurality of pairs of fingers mounted onsaidslide adapted tobe opened and closed in unison, said pairs of fingersbeing horizontally spaced in the same relation as said dies, and meansto reciprocate said slide and thus said fingers in one direction whensaid fingers are closed, and in the opposite direction when said ngersare opened, means to feed a workpiece to said fingers thus to bcsuccessively fed through the dies of said forging press, and meansoperative to ensure the reciprocation of said slide in timed relation tothe rotation of said eccentric shaft, and a piston-cylinder assembly forreciprocating said slide, and a single piston-cylinder assembly mountedon said slide for movement therewith for opening and closing saidingers.

2. A forging press as set forth in claim 1 including an opening in saidtable surrounding said bottom dies, an opening in said slidecorresponding to the opening in said table and forming front and rearlegs on said slide straddling said bottom dies, said lingers beingmounted in said front and rear legs of said slide for transverse openingand closing movement.

3. A forging press as set forth in claim 1 including a drive motordriving said eccentric shaft, a brake and clutch mechanism for suchdrive for said shaft, ejector means driven in timed relation to therotation of said shaft operative to elevate such workpieces-from saidbottom dies to position the same to be gripped by said fingers whenclosed, and means responsive to the failure of said ejector means todeenergize said brake and clutch means to stop rotation of said shaft.

4. in a forging machine of the type having a frame, a drive shaftmounted in said frame for rotation about a horizontal axis, a ram drivenfor reciprocation by said drive shaft, a set of dies carried formovement by said ram, a set of corresponding dies mounted on said framecooperating with said ram dies to forge workpieces therevensures sin s@successively to cooperating dies comprising a table mounted on saidframe including a` pair of legs straddling said dies, a slide mounted onsaid table for reciprocation, an opening in said slide surrounding Saiddies, a plurality of pairs of fingers mounted on said slide and adaptedVto project into said opening to grip workpi ces therebetween, meansoperative to open and close said-fingers in unison, means responsive tothe opening of said fingers and to the rotative position of said shaftto reciprocate said slide in one direction, and means responsive to theclosing of said fingers and to the rotative position of said shaft toreciprocate said slide in the opposite direction. v

5. A foregoing press as set forth in claim 4 wherein said meansoperative to open and close said fingers in unison comprises apiston-cylinder assembly mounted on said slide, a yoke connected tosaidpiston-cylinder assembly for movement thereby, operating linksconnected to the opposite ends of said yoke, bell cranks for each fingermounted on said slide adjacent thereto, said operating links beingconnected to said bell cranks whereby reciprocation of said yoke willoscillate said bell cranks, said bell cranks being connected to saidfingers whereby oscillation of said bell cranks will reciprocate saidngers.

6. A forging press as set forth in claim 5 including transverselyextending ways. in said slide adjacent said opening accommodating said:fingers for transverse reciprocation, one of each pair of said fingersbeing solid with the opposite finger of each pair having a spring loadedtip whereby such workpieces will be resiliently gripped therebetween.

7. In a multi-operation forging press ofthe type having an upstandingframe, a vertically movable ram, dies mounted on said ram, andbottomdies mounted on the base of said frame cooperating with the dies-on saidram to forge workpieces therebetween; a transfer mechanism comprising atable mounted on said frame surrounding said bottom dies, a slidemounted on said table for horizontal shuttling movement, an elongatedopening in said slide enclosing said dies, a semi-circular recess in oneend of such opening, a horizontal slideway beneath such recess a loadingtube extending closely above such recess and in one position of saidslide adapted to deposit a workpiece into such recess and onto saidslideway, means operative horizontally to shuttle said slide, andinwardly directed transversely movable workpiece engaging projections onsaid slide operative to index such workpiece from said slideway throughsuch vframe and between said dies for such forging operations as saidslide is shuttled back and forth.

8. A transfer mechanism for vertical forging presses and the likecomprising a table, a slide mounted on said table, means operativehorizontally to reciprocate said slide, an opening in said slide, pairsof work engaging fingers mounted on said slide and extendingtransversely into said opening, means to open and close said fingers inresponse to the horizontal position of said slide, a bell crank for eachof said lingers mounted on said slide, means operative to oscillate saidbell cranks in unison, and means connecting each said finger and therespective bell crank for movement transversely of said slide inresponse to such oscillation of said bell cranks.

9. In a forging press of the type having an unstanding frame, aneccentric shaft mounted in said frame for rotation about a horizontalaxis, a ram vertically movable in response to rotation of said shaft, aset of top dies carried by said ram for vertical reciprocationtherewith, a set of bottom dies mounted on saidr frame verticallyaligned with the respective dies carried by said ram and cooperating toforge workpieces therebetween; a transfer mechanism for transferringworkpieces to successive cooperating dies comprising a table mounted onsaid frame adjacent said bottom dies, a horizontally reciprocable slidemounted on said table, a plurality of Apairs of fingers mounted on saidslide adapted to be wopened and closed in unison, saidpairs of fingersbeing horizontally spaced in the same relation as said dies,

, and means to reciprocate said slide and thus said fingers in onedirection when said fingers are closed, and-in the opposite directionwhen said fingers are opened, means to feed a workpiece to said fingersthus to be successively fed through the dies of said forging press,means operative to ensure the reciprocation of said slide in timedrelation to the rotation of said eccentric shaft, and Vvrail meansmounting said table for insertion in and removal lfrom said press.

10. In a forging press of the type having an upstanding frame, aneccentric shaft mounted in ksaid frame for rotation about a horizontalaxis, a ram vertically movable in response to rotation of said shaft, aset of top dies carried by .said ram for vertical reciprocationtherewith, a set'of bottom dies mounted on said frame vertically alignedwith the Irespective dies carried by said ram and cooperating to forgeworkpieces therebetween; a transfer mechanism for transferringworkpieces to successive cooperating dies comprising a table mounted onsaid frame adjacent said bottom dies, a horizontally reciprocable slidemounted on said table, a plurality of pairs of fingers mounted on saidslide adapted to be opened andclosed in unison, said pairs of fingersbeing horizontally spaced in the same relation as said dies, and meansto reciprocate said slide and thus said fingers in one direction whensaid fingers are closed, and in the opposite direction when said fingersare opened, means to feed a workpiece to said fingers thus to besuccessively fed through the dies of said forging press, means operativeto ensure the reciprocation of said slide in timed relation to therotation of said eccentric shaft, means responsive to the reciprocationof said slide in said one direction when said ngers are closed and toVthe rotative position of saidishaft to open said fingers, and meansresponsive to the opening of said fingers and to the rotative positionof said shaft to reciprocate said slide in the opposite direction withsaid fingers thus opened.

ll. In a forging press 0f the type having an upstanding frame, aneccentric shaft mounted in said frame for rotation about a horizontalaxis, a ram vertically movable in response to rotation of said shaft, aset of top dies carried by said ram for certical reciprocationtherewith, a set of bottom dies mounted on said frame vertically alignedwith therespective dies carried by said ram and cooperating to forgeworkpieces therebetween; a transfer mechanism for transferringworkpieces to successive cooperating dies comprising a table mounted onsaid frame adjacent said bottom dies, a horizontally reciprocable slidemounted on said table, a plurality of pairs of fingers mounted on saidslide adapted to be opened and closed in unison, said pairs of fingersbeing horizontally spaced in the same relation as said dies, and meansto reciprocate said slide and thus said fingers in one direction whensaid fingers are closed, and in the opposite direction when said fingersare opened, means to feed a workpiece to said fingers thus to besuccessively fed through the dies of said forging press, means operativeto ensure the Vreciprocation of said slide in timed relation to therotation of said eccentric shaft, means responsive to the reciprocationof said slide in said opposite direction with said lingers open and tothe rotative position of said shaft to close said lingers, and meansresponsive to the closing of said fingers and to the rotative positionof said shaft to reciprocate said slide in said one direction with saidlingers thus closed.

l2. In a forging press of the type having an upstanding frame, aneccentric shaft mounted in said frame for rotation about a horizontalaxis, a ram vertically movable in response to rotation of said shaft, aset of top dies carried by said ram for vertical reciprocationtherewith, a set of bottom dies mounted on `said frame verticallyaligned with the respective dies carried Vby 'ai-sones.

said ram` and cooperating to forge Workpieces therebetween; a transfermechanism for transferrring Workpieces to successive cooperating diescomprising a table mounted on said frame adjacent said bottom dies, ahorizontally reciprocable slide mounted on said table, a plurality ofpairs of fingers mounted on said slide adapted to be Opened and closedin unison, said pairs of lingers being horizontally spaced in the samerelation as said dies, and means to reciprocate said slide and thus saidfingers in one direction when said fingers are closed, and in theopposite direction when said fingers are opened, means to feed aworkpiece to said fingers thus to be successively fed through the diesof said forging press, means operative to ensure the reciprocation ofsaid slide in timed relation to the rotation of said eccentric shaft,and an opening in said table adapted to accommodate said bottom dies,said opening providing said table with front and rear legs adapted tostraddle said bottom dies, an opening in said slide corresponding to theopening in said table forming on said slide front and rear legscorresponding to the legs of said table, bridge means -interconnectingthe legs of said slide at the opposite ends thereof, said bridge meansand legs of said slide sur-rounding said dies, the bridge means at oneend of said slide being arched to clear said bottom dies as said tableand thus said slide is pulled laterally from said press.

13. A transfer mechanism for forging presses and the like of the typehaving a drive shaft, a ram driven by said drive shaft, a set of diescarried by said ram and a set of dies cooperating with said ram diesoperative to forge workpieces therebetween, said transfer mechanismcomprising a table adapted to be mounted on such press adjacent suchdies, a slide mounted on said table for reciprocation, a plurality ofpairs of fingers mounted on said slide adapted to be opened and closedin unison, means to reciprocate said slide and thus said fingers in oneVdirection when said lingers Vare, closed and in the opposite directionwhen said fingers are open, means to feed a work-piece to said ngersthus to be successively fed through the dies of such press as such slideis reciprocated back and forth, said slide including a central openingadapted `to Vsurround such dies, said fingers be- 'ing paired on eachside of said opening, ways provided in said slide accommodating saidfingers for transverse movement toward and away from each other, meansmounted on said slide for movement therewith to `open and close saidfingers in unison, and means to shift such workpieces into positionbetween said dies comprising a pair of idle stations, rail means mountedon said table adapted to sup-port said workpieces in such idle stations,and means operative to retain resiliently such workpieces in such idlestations when not gripped by said fingers.

14. A transfer mechanism for forging presses and the like of the typehaving a drive shaft, a ram driven by said drive shaft, a set of diescarried by said ram and a set of dies cooperating with said ram diesoperative to forge workpieces therebetween, said transfer mechanismcomprising a table adapted to be mounted on such press adjacent suchdies, a slide mounted on said table for reciprocation, a plurality ofpairs of fingers mounted on said slide adapted to be opened and closedin unison, means to reciprocate said slide and thus said fingers in onedirection when said fingers are closed and in the opposite directionwhen said fingers are open, means to feed a workpiece to said fingersthus to be successively fed through the dies of such press as such slideis reciprocated back and forth, and rail means, means mounting saidtable and thus said slide on said rail means for removal from suchpress.

15. A transfer mechanism for forging presses and the like of the ty-pehaving a drive shaft, a ram drivenV by said drive shaft, a set of diescarried by said ram and a set of dies cooperating with said ram diesoperative to forge workpieces therebetween, said transfer mechanismcomprising a table adapted to be mountedon such press iti adjacentsuchdies, a slide mounted on said table for reciprocation, a plurality ofpairs of fingers mounted on said slide adapted to be opened and closedin unison, means to reciprocate said slide and thus said fingers in onedirection when said fingers are closed and in the opposite directionwhen said fingers are open, means to feed a workpiece to said fingersthus lto be successively fed through the dies of such press as suchslide is reciprocated back and forth, an-d a piston-cylinder assembly`for opening and closing said fingers, bell cranks operatively connectedto each finger and to said piston-cylinder assembly for moving thefingers of each pair toward and away from each other in unison.

16. A transfer mechanism for forging presses and the like of the .typehaving a drive shaft, a ram driven by said drive shaft, a set of diescarried by said ram and a set of dies cooperating with said ram diesoperative to forge workpieces therebetween, said transfer mechanismcomprising a table adapted to be mounted on such press adjacent suchdies, a slide mounted on said table for reciprocation, a plurality ofpairs o-f fingers mounted on said slide adapted to be opened and closedin unison, means to reciprocate said slide and thus said fingers in onedirection when said fingers are closed and inthe opposite direction whensaid fingers are open, means to feed a workpiece to said fingers thus tobe successively fed through the dies of such press as such slide isreciprocated back and forth, a piston-cylinder assembly forreciprocating said slide, means responsive to the reciprocation of saidslide in one direction to open said fingers, means responsive to theopening of said fingers to reciprocate said slide in the oppositedirection, means responsive to the reciprocation of said slide in saidopposite direction to close said fingers, and means responsive to theclosing of said ngers tol shiftsaid slide in said one direction.

17. A transfer mechanism for forging presses and the like of the typehaving a drive shaft, a ram driven by said drive shaft, a set of diescarried by said ram and a set of dies cooperating with said ram diesoperative to forge workpieces therebetween, said transfer mechanismcomprising a table adapted to be mounted on such press adjacent suchdies, a slide mounted on said table for reciprocation, a plurality ofpairs of fingers mounted on said slide adapted to be opened and closedin unison, means to reciprocate said slide and thus said fingers in onedirection when said fingers are closed and in the opposite directionwhen said fingers are open, means to feed a workpiece `to said fingersthus to be successively fed through the dies of such press as such slideis reciprocated back and forth, and lmeans responsive to overtravel ofsaid slide in either direction operative to stop operation of suchpress.

18.'In a multi-operation Iforging press of the type raving an upstandingframe, a vertically movable ram, dies mounted on said ram, and bottomdies mounted on the base of said frame cooperating with the dies on saidram to forgey Workpieces therebetween; a transfer mechanism comprising atable mounted on said frame surrounding said bottom dies, a slidemounted on said table for horizontal shuttling movement, an elongatedopening in said slide enclosing said dies, a semi-circular recess in oneend of such opening, a loading tube extending closely above such recesslin one position of said slide adapted to deposit a workpiece in suchrecess, means operative horizontally to shuttle said slide, inwardlydirected transversely movable workpiece engaging projections on saidslide operative to index such workpiece through such Vframe and betweensaid dies for such forging operations as said slide is shuttled back andforth, said projections comprising pairs of fingers having V-shape workengaging notches 1n the ends thereof, means operative to open and closesaid pairs of fingers in unison, and means responsive to the opening andclosing of said fingers and the vertical It? position of said ram toactuate said means horizontally to shuttle said slide.

19. In a forging press of the type having an upstanding frame, aneccentric shaft mounted in said frame for rotation about a horizontalaxis, a ram vertically movable in response to rotation of said shaft, aset of top dies carried by said ram for vertical reciprocationtherewith, a set of bottom dies mounted on said frame vertically alignedWith the respective dies carried by said ram and cooperating to forgeWorkpieces therebtween; a transfer mechanism for transferring Workpiecesto successive cooperating dies comprising a table mounted on said frameadjacent said bottom dies, a horizontally reciprocable slide mounted onsaid table, a plurality of pairs of iingers mounted on said slideadapted to be opened and closed in unison, said pairs of fingers beinghorizontally spaced in the same relation as said dies, and means toreciprocate said slide and thus said fingers in one direction when saidiingers are closed, and in the opposite direction When said fingers areopened, means to feed a Workpiece to said fingers thus to besuccessively fed through the dies of said forging press, means operativeto ensure the reciprocation of said slide in timed relation to therotation of said eccentric shaft, and rail means mounted on said pressparallel to said table, upstandiug roller means mounted on said pressadapted to engage and support said table for horizontal movement, rollermeans mounted on the underside of said table adapted to engage said railmeans for horizontal movement, said roller means cooperating to supportsaid table for horizontal movement to and from said press when said topand bottom dies are vertically opened.

20. In a forging press of the type having an upstanding frame, aneccentric shaft mounted in said frame for rotation about a horizontalaxis, a ram vertically movable in response to rotation of said shaft, aset of top dies carried by said ram for Vertical reciprocationtherewith, a set of bottom dies mounted on said frame vertically alignedwith the respective dies carried by said ram and cooperating to forgeworkpieces therebetween; a transfer mechanism for transferringWorkpieces to successive cooperating dies comprising a table mounted onsaid frame adjacent said bottom dies, a horizontally reciprocable slidemounted on said table, a plurality of pairs of iingers mounted on saidslide adapted to be opened and closed in unison, said pairs of fingersbeing horizontally spaced in the same relation as said dies, and meansto reciprocate said slide and thus said fingers in one direction whensaid fingers are closed, and in the opposite direction when said fingersare opened, means to feed a workpiece to said fingers thus to besuccessively fed through the dies of said forging press, means operativeto ensure the reciprocation of said slide in timed relation to therotation of said eccentric shaft, rail means mounted on said press andextending horizontally therefrom, a stand supporting the distal end ofsaid rail means, and roller means supporting said table with respect tosaid rail means for movement of said table and thus said slide to andfrom said press when said top and bottom dies are vertically opened.

21. A transfer mechanism for vertical forging presses and the likecomprising a table, a slide mounted on said table, means operativehorizontally to reciprocate said slide, an opening in said slide, pairsof Work engaging ngers mounted on said slide and extending transverselyinto said opening, means to open and closesaid fingers in response tothe horizontal position of said slide, and means mounting said table forhorizontal movement into and out of such forging press.

References Cited bythe Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,426,039 8/ 22Candee 10-12 2,366,272 1/ 45 y Tourneau 78--39 2,3 80,194 7 45 Sharp78-99 2,577,641 12/51 Wissman 78-39 2,802,381 8/57 Leasia 78--993,025,73 1 3/ 62 Jacobs 78-96 3,079,817 3/ 63 Sanford 78-99 3,105,39910/ 63 Strugala 78-96 3,110,201 11/63 Fusik 78-99 WILLIAM J. STEPHENSON,Primary Exarn'zner.Y

CHARLES W. LANHAM, Examiner.

1. IN A FORGING PRESS OF THE TYPE HAVING AN UPSTANDING FRAME, ANECCENTRIC SHAFT MOUNTED IN SAID FRAME FOR ROTATION ABOUT A HORIZONTALAXIS, A RAM VERTICALLY MOVABLE IN RESPONSE TO ROTATION OF SAID SHAFT, ASET OF TOP DIES CARRIED BY SAID RAM FOR VERTICAL RECIPROCATIONTHEREWITH, A SET OF BOTTOM DIES MOUNTED ON SAID FRAME VERTICALLY ALIGNEDWITH THE RESPECTIVE DIES CARRIED BY SAID RAM AND COOPERATING TO FORGEWORKPIECES THEREBETWEEN; A TRANSFER MECHANISM FOR TRANSFERRINGWORKPIECES TO SUCCESSIVE COOPERATING DIES COMPRISING A TABLE MOUNTED ONSAID FRAME ADJACENT SAID BOTTOM DIES, A HORIZONTALLY RECIPROCABLE SLIDEMOUNTED ON SAID TABLE, A PLURALITY OF PAIRS OF FINGERS MOUNTED ON SAIDSLIDE ADAPTED TO BE OPENED AND CLOSED IN UNISON, SAID PAIRS OF FINGERSBEING HORIZONTALLY SPACED IN THE SAME RELATION AS SAID DIES, AND MEANSTO RECIPROCATE SAID SLIDE AND THUS SAID FINGERS IN ONE DIRECTION WHENSAID FINGERS ARE CLOSED AND IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION WHEN SAID FINGERSARE OPENED, MEANS TO FEED A WORKPIECE TO SAID FINGERS THUS TO BESUCCESSIVELY FED THROUGH THE DIES OF SAID FORGING PRESS, AND MEANSOPERATIVE TO ENSURE THE RECIPROCATION OF SAID SLIDE IN TIMED RELATION TOTHE ROTATION OF SAID ECCENTRIC SHAFT, AND A PISTON-CYLINDER ASSEMBLY FORRECIPROCATING SAID SLIDE, AND A SINGLE PISTON-CYLINDER ASSEMBLY MOUNTEDON SAID SLIDE FOR MOVEMENT THEREWITH FOR OPENING AND CLOSING SAIDFINGERS.